According to the Study of Adult Development by Psychiatrist George Vaillant: "Of all the coping mechanisms - suppression alters the world the least and best accepts the terms life offers".George Vaillant The very word "suppression" in a positive context would, I imagine, send a shiver down the … [Read more...]
How to get people to talk about themselves
Because the word "therapy" is attached to the model I use, I am often asked by people, outside of my field, how I get people to talk about their problems. I usually respond with a screwed up face: getting people to talk about their problems is not my aim. Encouraging people to answer questions … [Read more...]
You really do only get 4,000 weeks in a lifetime, so you may as well do something…
I recently tweeted that, as a guest speaker, I had offered a Positive Action speech instead of the Positive Thinking request that I was asked for. I was asked "surely the thinking comes first?" I disagree: we struggle to achieve change as individuals because, of course, the subconscious usually … [Read more...]
The oldest therapeutic intervention known to man….
This morning I received the usual notifications of new books, resources and online help for goal setting. I read the details and they were indeed impressive: two "how to....", several "put yourself in a go-get mindset" and of course "what is it you really want?" I filed them in my "Motivational … [Read more...]
Solution Focused Therapy:The Silent Session
I heard a quote this morning from a 19th century French statesman: "When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice". It resonated with me. Whether consciously or sub-consciously, I think we are happiest when we are met with agreement. We don't have to think too hard then and we … [Read more...]
It’s What’s Right With You That Will Fix What’s Wrong With You
I revisited this article that I wrote in 2008 and only had to take a few words out. If there are any Mental Health Unit staff out there who read this and think "what nonsense, she is out of date on this"! - please contact me and I will gladly edit each and every time. Eileen It's what's right … [Read more...]
